Do your clients include borrowers, lenders, or businesses that rely on the services of the Mortgage Electronic Registration System (MERS)? If so, you may want to keep your eye on a case that is headed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

A driver who was severely injured when struck by an uninsured motorist in 2010 can “stack” his insurance policies, a unanimous Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled while resolving a conflict with a “drive-other-car” exclusion.

Feb. 7, 2014 – Ever wish you had a crystal ball to gauge your firm’s position and plan for the future? In the February Wisconsin Lawyer, attorneys and practice management experts are your crystal ball when looking at local and global practice trends.

A federal appeals court recently rejected a retired Milwaukee County employee's claim that she had a vested right to cost-free health insurance and the county engaged in an unlawful taking by requiring her to pay any amounts toward her medical care in retirement.

Although sentencing judges may order expungment of a criminal conviction when sentencing conditions are satisfied, a defendant still must take affirmative steps to clear the record, a state appeals court majority has ruled.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of Darryl Badzinski for sexual assaulting a child, despite Badzinski’s argument that the jury was allowed to speculate beyond the evidence and violated his due process rights.

Jan. 31, 2014 – The State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors, the organization’s 52-member governing body, today discussed a budget proposal to raise State Bar dues by $30, which would represent the first dues increase in 10 years. The board took no action but is expected to approve a fiscal year 2015 budget at its April board meeting.

Jan. 30, 2014 – A recent State Bar of Wisconsin report highlighted the very real struggles that new lawyers are experiencing after law school. Now, a State Bar committee intends to bring forth concrete solutions to help new lawyers face those challenges.

A circuit court judge ordered Eric Seatz to install an ignition interlock device in his vehicle, even though it was his first-offense operating while intoxicated. Recently, an appeals court ruled that the order did not violate state OWI law.

A home insurer scored a win today as the Wisconsin Supreme Court split 3-3 in a case involving water damage, products liability, and the “economic loss doctrine.” Without a majority, a lower appeals court ruling on the issue controls.

Defendant Curtis Jackson didn’t know Angelo McCaleb before shooting him dead on a November night in 2008. But Jackson argued that McCaleb had a violent character, on display that very evening, and he only acted in self-defense.

Governor Scott Walker and his spokesperson recently won a federal appeal against a woman who said they violated the law by not appointing her as interim county register of deeds and publicly stating that she entered bankruptcy.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard debate yesterday on a proposed dues structure change for new and emeritus lawyers but postponed consideration, meaning the State Bar of Wisconsin’s dues structure remains unchanged for now.

Jan. 21, 2014 – A sheriff’s deputy who was dismissed by a grievance committee may appeal to the circuit court or submit the case to an arbitrator, an appeals court has ruled, despite a county’s stance that an appeal to an arbitrator is not an option.

The Town of Delavan under-taxed “off-lake” real estate and over-taxed more than 50 lakefront homes, a violation of Wisconsin law. But the lakefront homeowners won’t get their desired remedy, a state appeals court has ruled.

Raheem Moore, a 15-year-old, argued that he was too young and dumb to voluntarily confess to murder. But a state appeals court recently ruled that Moore was smart enough to make that confession, and police did not coerce it out of him.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will decide whether the City of Racine is liable for injuries caused by an officer who ran a red light, as the state’s high court recently accepted review of this governmental immunity case and four others.

Robert Brown, convicted in 2011 for robbing a bank in Milwaukee, recently lost his federal appeal despite arguing that a detective gave expert testimony concerning “dye packs” but it was improperly allowed as lay testimony.

With nearly $150,000 in donations through today, the State Bar of Wisconsin is getting closer to the $200,000 fundraising goal for the National Mock Trial Tournament that will take place in Madison May 8-10, 2014. Help us get there!

Drivers with spotty driving records must prove financial responsibility for future liability. Such proof can be submitted through “certified” insurance. Recently, a state appeals court clarified coverage issues relating to such “certified” policies.